997 non-xenon light change for Europe

[LSDiff]

I'm taking my 7.1 GT3 across to France for a few months and trying to figure out what I need to do with the headlights. I've read a few threads about popping the light units out and flicking a switch on the back, but they all seem to relate to xenons, which my car doesn't have. And my manual is packed in a box somewhere safe (that I'll probably never find again). Any help, much appreciated. Thanks.

[Jmracing66]

I'm pretty sure its the same for non xenon lights. From memory my old 996 GT3 with standard lights had a switch on the back of the headlight casing to move them to LHD.

[S600BSB]

Do you know whether that is limited to the GT3 or whether light units on other 996/997 models have the same feature?

[LSDiff]

Finally got around to doing this and can confirm that it's as simple as removing the headlights, taking the back off and flicking the tab from "O" to "T". I think it's the same for all 997's as the headlights are the same part number. Not sure about 996's, sorry.

[braddo]

interesting. how simple is it to remove the headlights to gain access to the switch?

[LSDiff]

braddo said:

interesting. how simple is it to remove the headlights to gain access to the switch?

Very simple:
Unscrew the plastic tab and pull the carpet away from inside the luggage compartment
Remove the rubber plug
Insert the "special tool" from the toolkit (effectively a long a allen key) and rotate through 180 degrees (clockwise on one side and counter-clockwise on the other)
The headlight will pop away from the wing and then it just slides out (no wires attached)
Undo the 4 screws and 3 clips on the rear housing cover to access the switch.

Do it all in reverse to refit. When lined up correctly, the light will slide almost all the way in and a quarter turn of the allen key will click it back into place.

[996Targa]

If it is the same tool as used on a 996, I would order a new one from an OPC as a spare. The socket is quite soft and after using it a few times (changing the headlamp back to UK, bulbs etc) it won't work.